This election, immigration reform has often been reduced to sound bytes. For example, Donald Trump’s repeated call to “build the wall.” That simplified argument is disappointing for American farmers who rely heavily on immigrant labor.

The "thousand-year" flood that hit the Carolinas earlier this week is just the latest in a string of extraordinary rain events in the US and around the world. And while the details differ, they fit into a pattern directly linked to climate change.

Like many people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, social scientist Zeynep Tufekci was shocked by the killing of three Muslim students there in February. At a hastily organized vigil the following night, she was reminded of the power of community in addressing problems.

Updated

02/13/2015 - 4:00pm

The surge of donations in the memory of one of the victims from Tuesday's shooting will enable a medical group to open two more dental clinics for Syrian refugees. They will be named after the husband-and-wife dental students who were slain near the University of North Carolina campus.

Around the world, revelations about NSA spying have caused outrage and protests. But not so much in the US. In fact, older Americans seem more worried than digitally plugged-in youth, whose electronic lives are being monitored. One researcher says young people don't seem so worried about the government acting as Big Brother.

Archaeologists have just discovered the remains of a Spanish fort from 16th century explorers. University of Michigan archaeologist Robin Beck says Fort San Juan represents the earliest known European fort in the interior of what is now the United States.

When he first arrived in America, Afghan student Ali Shahidy knew his English was ready to tackle the tough language of academia. But he never expected to be tripped up by lunch at a fast food restaurant.

Updated

02/13/2015 - 4:00pm

The surge of donations in the memory of one of the victims from Tuesday's shooting will enable a medical group to open two more dental clinics for Syrian refugees. They will be named after the husband-and-wife dental students who were slain near the University of North Carolina campus.

Like many people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, social scientist Zeynep Tufekci was shocked by the killing of three Muslim students there in February. At a hastily organized vigil the following night, she was reminded of the power of community in addressing problems.